I like the squad you drafted. I’d consider keeping Petrovic just in order to be able to spend more on a top striker. Additionally because unless we’re going for elite proven quality, which I highly doubt, I don’t think those currently linked would be a huge upgrade on Petrovic. That being said I do love Pickford for England and he’s a mentality monster.
My only real change would be avoiding having 6 centre backs. It will cause issues like we saw in the build up to the January window because of playtime unrest. I also think Acheampong deserves a shot at being number 2 back up, either at right back or centre back. In that case I would sell Tosin as he can flipped for a decent profit and keep Fofana simply to increase his value and because he’s our best current cb. Would love to see Branthwaite who would be future captain material. I would avoid Huijsen purely because he’d use us as a stepping stone to Madrid. Branthwaite could turn out to be our next Cahill.
I am playing the role of Sporting Director - now that’s a dangerous place to put yourself and as I am sure you have already realised some will love to tear into your suggestions! 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for the various options put forward and I’m sure that we all have differing opinions but you come at it for me very interesting perspective with a lot more knowledge than some of us (me included)
My only criticism of your article is that surely as a sporting director you know whether or not we’re going to have a new manager, isn’t that part of your brief!
Appreciate the work, Luke! I think of all of the incomings I feel most strongly that I would change your goalie options. Maignan feels like a Koulibaly style move to me where we get him just a bit too late where he isn’t much better than our current options and we need a big improvement there. I’d go for Diogo Costa and pay whatever it took to get done just to have goalie sorted for the next decade plus between him and Penders once Penders is ready to compete. If he never is, then Costa is still a top goalie who is relatively young for the position still
I see it Scott! I just personally don’t rate Costa that highly, he’s a little calamitous and very mistake prone in my opinion! He has his upside as well though
I wanted maignan a few years ago, I'd rather we just kept Petrovic now, sold Sanchez, loaded penders and kept Jorgensen as back up for another season before getting rid of him as well
1. Unless the SDs have made some serious changes, they have proven incapable of executing your proposed number of sales even if it is possible in theory. The primary issue IMO is that the SDs try to hold out for the best possible deal. That would be fine for a small number of transfers, but if you are trying to move such a large number of players, you sometimes have to just accept a few million less pounds just to close the deal quicker. There are so many examples of this such as Nkunku, Broja, Chalobah, etc. They price the player out of a move and then are too slow to lower their asking price in order to close the deal.
2. A few of your theoretical player sales won't happen because the book value of those players is so far in the red. Players like Badiashile and Disasi would only be a slight book loss if they get sold at what you suggest, but others like Kellyman or Felix would be significant and are more likely to go out on loan.
You didn't include a lot of academy players who almost certainly will go out on loan or be sold, but two non-academy players not on your list are David Datro Fofana and Daveid Washington.
I can’t see us being able to sell players like Disasi for 20 mill and Felix for 35 mill personally, although I’d love us to. Clubs know we want them out. I wouldn’t be shocked to see them loaned out like Lukaku had to be for a few years before we got rid
The good news on both fronts then! I had forgot about the reduction in loan stops tbf so that makes sense. In regards to the keepers too, I personally would like to see us choose between the 4 we have before signing another. If we sell Petrovic for 30 million ish and sign a Pickford for what he would cost (I imagine more than 30) it just seems a bit pointless to me.
I rate Disasi as a low-block CB. It's just another example of poor squad building. A lot of players who can't do what we want them to do, or at least who can't do what the latest manager demands.
Thanks for sharing you list Luke! Couple of names I really like, like Osimhen hehe. This is what I would do:
Players to Sell
Axel Disasi – Move on.
Renato Veiga – Not part of long-term plans.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Not part of long-term plans.
Robert Sánchez – Sell, because reasons
Tosin Adarabioyo – Flip for profit if interest arises.
Jadon Sancho – Not convinced; cash in.
Malo Gusto – Prefer Acheampong and want to ensure a clear development pathway for him.
Filip Jørgensen – Not needed.
Marc Cucurella – Stocks are high; sell now to recoup some of the €65m paid.
Enzo Fernández or Moisés Caicedo – Controversial, but they don’t complement each other. If a big offer comes in, sell one to reshape the midfield with a different profile.
Raheem Sterling – Despite personal preference, too much bad blood remains. Time to move on.
Players to Loan
Roméo Lavia – Needs consistent first-team minutes to develop.
Mike Penders – Loan for experience.
Carney Chukwuemeka – Needs regular game time. Still has worldclass potential.
Essugo – Loan with a view to a permanent sale in summer 2026.
Sign:
Victor Osimhen – A priority target. Brings proven quality, goal threat, and presence up front.
Managerial Change
Out: Enzo Maresca – Doesn’t fit the club’s identity or urgency.
In: Thomas Frank – Brings discipline, structure, and a clear identity. The right man to restore standards and build a cohesive, resilient team
I'd probably keep Petrovic over signing a new keeper, certainly ahead of Pickford. I like Maignan a lot, but I feel like if he leaves, it'll be to someone who pays considerably more than we do.
Barcola would be great, but hard to convince both parties imo. He's in his home country, he's still playing plenty of football. Maybe the season after.
Saw Pickford and Maignan's names. Laughed and didn't read the rest. Maignan is injury prone and Pickford is a terrible short armed keeper. Would rather Kepa than that bum
I like the squad you drafted. I’d consider keeping Petrovic just in order to be able to spend more on a top striker. Additionally because unless we’re going for elite proven quality, which I highly doubt, I don’t think those currently linked would be a huge upgrade on Petrovic. That being said I do love Pickford for England and he’s a mentality monster.
My only real change would be avoiding having 6 centre backs. It will cause issues like we saw in the build up to the January window because of playtime unrest. I also think Acheampong deserves a shot at being number 2 back up, either at right back or centre back. In that case I would sell Tosin as he can flipped for a decent profit and keep Fofana simply to increase his value and because he’s our best current cb. Would love to see Branthwaite who would be future captain material. I would avoid Huijsen purely because he’d use us as a stepping stone to Madrid. Branthwaite could turn out to be our next Cahill.
I am playing the role of Sporting Director - now that’s a dangerous place to put yourself and as I am sure you have already realised some will love to tear into your suggestions! 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for the various options put forward and I’m sure that we all have differing opinions but you come at it for me very interesting perspective with a lot more knowledge than some of us (me included)
My only criticism of your article is that surely as a sporting director you know whether or not we’re going to have a new manager, isn’t that part of your brief!
Appreciate the work, Luke! I think of all of the incomings I feel most strongly that I would change your goalie options. Maignan feels like a Koulibaly style move to me where we get him just a bit too late where he isn’t much better than our current options and we need a big improvement there. I’d go for Diogo Costa and pay whatever it took to get done just to have goalie sorted for the next decade plus between him and Penders once Penders is ready to compete. If he never is, then Costa is still a top goalie who is relatively young for the position still
I see it Scott! I just personally don’t rate Costa that highly, he’s a little calamitous and very mistake prone in my opinion! He has his upside as well though
I wanted maignan a few years ago, I'd rather we just kept Petrovic now, sold Sanchez, loaded penders and kept Jorgensen as back up for another season before getting rid of him as well
With outgoings, two things to keep in mind:
1. Unless the SDs have made some serious changes, they have proven incapable of executing your proposed number of sales even if it is possible in theory. The primary issue IMO is that the SDs try to hold out for the best possible deal. That would be fine for a small number of transfers, but if you are trying to move such a large number of players, you sometimes have to just accept a few million less pounds just to close the deal quicker. There are so many examples of this such as Nkunku, Broja, Chalobah, etc. They price the player out of a move and then are too slow to lower their asking price in order to close the deal.
2. A few of your theoretical player sales won't happen because the book value of those players is so far in the red. Players like Badiashile and Disasi would only be a slight book loss if they get sold at what you suggest, but others like Kellyman or Felix would be significant and are more likely to go out on loan.
You didn't include a lot of academy players who almost certainly will go out on loan or be sold, but two non-academy players not on your list are David Datro Fofana and Daveid Washington.
I can’t see us being able to sell players like Disasi for 20 mill and Felix for 35 mill personally, although I’d love us to. Clubs know we want them out. I wouldn’t be shocked to see them loaned out like Lukaku had to be for a few years before we got rid
The good news on both fronts then! I had forgot about the reduction in loan stops tbf so that makes sense. In regards to the keepers too, I personally would like to see us choose between the 4 we have before signing another. If we sell Petrovic for 30 million ish and sign a Pickford for what he would cost (I imagine more than 30) it just seems a bit pointless to me.
I agree Sam, to an extent. We will struggle and will ahev to accpet losses, the difference now is the limited amount of european loans we have.
I am aware of something with Felix that I cannot reveal at this time but can see us selling him. Didsasi has lots of clubs after him, surprisngly!!
I rate Disasi as a low-block CB. It's just another example of poor squad building. A lot of players who can't do what we want them to do, or at least who can't do what the latest manager demands.
Thanks for sharing you list Luke! Couple of names I really like, like Osimhen hehe. This is what I would do:
Players to Sell
Axel Disasi – Move on.
Renato Veiga – Not part of long-term plans.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Not part of long-term plans.
Robert Sánchez – Sell, because reasons
Tosin Adarabioyo – Flip for profit if interest arises.
Jadon Sancho – Not convinced; cash in.
Malo Gusto – Prefer Acheampong and want to ensure a clear development pathway for him.
Filip Jørgensen – Not needed.
Marc Cucurella – Stocks are high; sell now to recoup some of the €65m paid.
Enzo Fernández or Moisés Caicedo – Controversial, but they don’t complement each other. If a big offer comes in, sell one to reshape the midfield with a different profile.
Raheem Sterling – Despite personal preference, too much bad blood remains. Time to move on.
Players to Loan
Roméo Lavia – Needs consistent first-team minutes to develop.
Mike Penders – Loan for experience.
Carney Chukwuemeka – Needs regular game time. Still has worldclass potential.
Essugo – Loan with a view to a permanent sale in summer 2026.
Sign:
Victor Osimhen – A priority target. Brings proven quality, goal threat, and presence up front.
Managerial Change
Out: Enzo Maresca – Doesn’t fit the club’s identity or urgency.
In: Thomas Frank – Brings discipline, structure, and a clear identity. The right man to restore standards and build a cohesive, resilient team
Prefered line up for next season:
Petrovic
James – Fofana – Colwill – Ishe
Andrey – Caicedo - Nkunku
Palmer – Osimhen – Jackson
I'd probably keep Petrovic over signing a new keeper, certainly ahead of Pickford. I like Maignan a lot, but I feel like if he leaves, it'll be to someone who pays considerably more than we do.
Barcola would be great, but hard to convince both parties imo. He's in his home country, he's still playing plenty of football. Maybe the season after.
Saw Pickford and Maignan's names. Laughed and didn't read the rest. Maignan is injury prone and Pickford is a terrible short armed keeper. Would rather Kepa than that bum
I don't rate Pickford too. He has massive experience though and some leadership skills. But Luke has it done very good and realistic.
Lovely comment Ross, really appreciate your positivity and support! Feel free to be constructive and suggest some other options.
For reference Maignan has missed 2 games this season with injury.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣